How Much Does Basement Waterproofing Cost?

The worst-case scenario for any part of the house is flooding and water damage. Whether it be heavy rain, leaking pipes, or poorly draining soil, water damage of any kind is a serious threat. The only way to protect your basement from water damage is through waterproofing, but how much should you pay?

The average basement waterproofing cost is $4,200. You can spend up to $15,000 if you also install a water membrane to protect your foundation. The average homeowner spends $3.50 per square foot to waterproof their basement with bentonite clay and $4 per square foot for sheet membrane waterproofing.

Not every method of basement waterproofing may be appropriate for your own home. That is why it is important to know the difference in both cost and function. Follow along to see which method of basement waterproofing best suits your home, and what you should expect to pay.

It typically costs between $600 and $10,000 to waterproof a basement. The cost of your basement waterproofing depends on the severity of the risk and or damage already done. Adding drains, fixing cracks, installing gutters, and grading the landscape are all possible cost factors in basement waterproofing.

Your basement is susceptible to water damage, and it’s important to waterproof it to mitigate risk. It is easy to tell that something is wrong with your foundation if you find water in your basement when it rains. Rainwater can seep into the basement through loose soil and cracks in the foundation.

Professionals can remedy this by doing landscaping, or filling gaps in the foundation. Whether you are taking preventative measures, or fixing damage that is already done, waterproofing your basement is a must.

Waterproofing your foundation is somewhat complex, and it involves the interior and exterior of your home. Gaps can form in the exterior of your foundation, which can let water in causing mold and damage. You can easily spend roughly $4,000 to seal your basement foundation, even if it is just the exterior.

Foundation and crawlspace waterproofing, another common spot in the basement for water damage and mold, are key. The crawlspace typically costs between $1,500 and $8,000 to seal but can cost up to $15,000. Things get more expensive when it comes to waterproofing your foundation’s membrane, but it offers great protection.

There are waterproofing foundation membrane systems that keep water out and protect your basement. Companies such as SUPERSEAL produce dimpled membranes that allow space for water to drain and stay out of the basement. Installing some waterproof membranes can cost up to $15,000 including labor, and costs between $3 and $5 per square foot.

Waterproofing membranes are generally made of rubberized asphalt that is sturdy and able to fit your foundation walls. The membrane also has a waterproof film that keeps water from seeping through it as water sits on the back of the membrane.

Depending on where you live, your soil may take in a lot of moisture, and it can cause water to seep. Some soil is stronger than others and has better drainage capabilities. However, if your soil continually causes gaps and cracks on the exterior of your foundation, you need a waterproofing membrane.

Another great proactive basement waterproofing investment is a weeping tile system. Weeping tile systems rarely cost more than $250, and consist of a plastic pipe or pipes that direct water away from the house as it flows in. Instead of that watering enter your home, it passes through holes in the buried pipe that sits in a trench.

Weeping tile systems are not necessarily alternatives to other forms of basement waterproofing. In fact, the low cost and efficacy of weeping tile systems means they’re great to supplement other methods.

Installation takes only a few hours, and consists of digging a hole, adding gravel, and installing pipe. Many builder-owners that are DIY oriented choose to install a weeping tile system on their own, and it is a great idea.

Waterproofing with cement is one of the most cost-effective and ultimately consistent options available. Cement is strong, durable, and easy to use to waterproof a basement, as it is simply applied in layers like paint. Hiring a professional costs an average of $1,450 but can cost as little as $1,000 for cement waterproofing.

Your only costs for cement waterproofing is the cement solution itself, and labor. If a professional comes out, waterproofs your basement with cement, and patches cracks and holes, labor will cost $650-$800. The cement mix used for waterproofing does not typically cost more than $400, leaving most of the cost to labor.

Another proactive water damage treatment is waterproofing with bentonite clay. Bentonite clay costs between $3 and $4 per square foot, labor included, and is a strong barrier. The material itself comes from volcanic ashes, and it is a great temporary waterproofing prevention method for your basement.

The benefits of bentonite clay do not always outweigh the negatives. For example, when bentonite clay gets wet, it can cause nearby drains to get clogged and compacted. However, it expands in the face of water is also what makes it effective at waterproofing.

When water hits bentonite clay, the clay expands, and the increased surface area keeps water at bay. It is easy to form a seal with bentonite clay, and it a is good, cheap waterproofing solution.

Sheet membrane costs an average of $4.90 per square foot for installation, or as little as $3.30. It is similar to a foundation membrane, and sheet membrane is even made of the same material. The rubberized asphalt of sheet and foundation membranes forms a great seal, but only with proper installation.

Conversely, you can also choose liquid membrane waterproofing, which costs $4 per square foot on average. Liquid membrane is typically sprayed on and even brushed on the walls for installation. Sheet membrane is simply rolled onto the wall evenly and carefully to ensure a proper seal.

Wherever there’s overlap or a gap, tape or liquid membrane is used so there’s no room for water to seep. Your waterproofing sheet membrane could protect your basement from water damage for up to 10 years.

Your crawlspace is at risk of water damage, and waterproofing it is as easy as using a vapor barrier. If you seal and add a vapor barrier to your crawlspace, it will cost $3,000 on average. Depending on the size of your crawlspace, it could cost as much as $8,000 for sealing and a vapor barrier.

If your crawlspace is already sealed, you can add a vapor barrier quite cheaply. Vapor barriers only cost $0.30-$0.50 per square foot, and they are effective for up to 20 years or more. The high cost of waterproofing a crawlspace is due to the low accessibility and often difficult labor conditions.

Vapor barriers are the icing on the cake if you already have good waterproofing implements in place in your basement. If humidity and constant moisture is a problem, invest in a dehumidifier for between $100 and $1,300. You only need a heavy-duty, $1,300 dehumidifier if you already have water damage, otherwise, $100-$300 will do.

Epoxy is every builder owner’s favorite resin and polymer, and it is even useful in waterproofing. Depending on the extent of holes and cracks in your basement, an epoxy injection may fix them. Each crack that you treat with an epoxy injection costs $350 on average but can cost up to $500.

The process of waterproofing with epoxy injections is quite fast, and that keeps costs low. Each crack only takes about an hour. The epoxy itself is typically cured within 4-5 hours, and you no longer have to worry about that crack leaking.

However, if you continue to experience new cracks forming inside your basement or foundation wall, something is wrong. You could continue to fill the cracks with epoxy injections, but it won’t get to the root of the problem. It could be as simple as temperature fluctuations, but recurring cracks are not conducive to a waterproof basement.

Another critical component to keeping your basement waterproof is a sump pump. However, if a sump pump experiences problems, it can actually cause flooding creating an even worse problem. You can expect to pay roughly $500-$1,200 for a sump pump in your basement.

Sump pumps continually pump water out of and away from your basement. The goal is that the water that is directed away from your house won’t come back and cause a problem. Sometimes, sump pumps fail either mechanically or electrically, so spend the extra $200-$300 for a backup pump in case.

Luckily, you can get up to 10 years out of a sump pump before you need to replace it. Additional costs include cleaning your sump pump, and it should be done once each year. It typically costs between $60 and $80 to clean your sump pump professionally.

Even the paint that you choose can help fortify and waterproof your basement. This method of basement waterproofing can cost $150-$300 and you can do it yourself. Simply buy 1-2 gallons of waterproofing paint for $30-$80 and apply yourself or hire a painter.

If you hire a professional painter, expect to spend $3.20-$6.50 per square foot, and that excludes the cost of paint. Waterproofing paint is useful in preventing water damage because of how thick it is. It simply serves as yet another barrier between your basement, and costly damage and repairs.

At an average of $6 per square foot for professional installation, waterproofing silicate concrete sealers are a worthy investment. Waterproofing concrete sealers make use of a simple chemical reaction that is invisible to the naked eye. However, what the sealer really does is fortifies the concrete so that it will stay dry and resist moisture, and seepage.

You can find 5-gallon increments of silicate concrete sealer for between $145 and $220 through Grainger and RadonSeal. Professionally waterproofing your basement with silicate concrete sealer can cost up to $2,400 or more for 400 square feet.

When there are no waterproofing methods in place, water enters the basement and can be left standing. Standing water is bad for anywhere inside of a home, and it is a great opportunity for mold to spread. If you had a large leak, flooding, sump pump backflow, or standing water for any reason, you must have it removed.

It costs an average of $4,000 to remove water from your basement, including the cost of drying it out. It can cost up to $5,000-$6,000, and the cost varies based on the volume of water, and the size of space. If there is only 1” of water to remove, it could cost you as little as $500-$1,000, if not slightly more.

Sadly, removing the water is the least of your worries. If you had serious water damage in your basement, remediation could cost well over $20,000. That alone is why you should spend the money on preventative basement waterproofing measures.

Related Questions

Is basement waterproofing worth it?

Yes, basement waterproofing is worth it to avoid up to $20,000 or more in repairs. You may have to spend another $6,000 or more if the water in your basement led to the spread of mold, as mold remediation will be necessary. Mold is caused by moisture and darkness, and water-damaged basements are ideal for its growth.

What is the best waterproof flooring for a basement?

Concrete is your best waterproof flooring option for your basement. You can further waterproof your concrete basement flooring with coats of epoxy or other sealers.

Does basement waterproofing increase home value?

Yes, in fact, basement waterproofing can increase home value. There is no exact known number by which waterproofing increases value, but it helps when it is time to sell. Depending on the method of waterproofing, it could even be profitable.

Waterproofing your basement costs roughly $600-$10,000, and there are countless methods of doing so. If you live somewhere that experiences a high volume of rain and snowfall, waterproofing your basement is necessary. You could suffer severe water damage and black mold than can add up to $20,000-$30,000 if you don’t have active waterproofing.

If all that you have is a few cracks, look into hiring out for an epoxy injection. Each crack that they inject with epoxy will cost between $350 and $500. Your best, and most expensive bet, for avoiding water damage in your basement is a waterproof foundation membrane for $15,000.

Weigh the risks of water damage against the cost of waterproofing your basement. It’s never worth the risk of repairs or mold remediation when you can waterproof your basement for $10,000 or less.